The Unexpected Rise of Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Trey Yesavage (2 of 4)

The Call Up

Yesavage made his debut in Tampa against the Rays, pitching 5 innings of 3-hit, 1-run baseball. In the process, he made franchise history by striking out 9 batters, the most by a Blue Jays rookie in their first start. His second game, this time in Kansas City, was a tad rough. He surrendered 4 earned runs in 4 innings, resulting in a no-decision in Toronto’s eventual 8-5 win. In his final regular season start, against Tampa Bay again, he pitched 5 innings of scoreless ball to score his first major league win in the process.

The Playoffs

The Blue Jays manager John Schneider had seen all he had needed to see. Yesavage, who only a few weeks earlier had been pitching for AAA Buffalo, was getting the ball for Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. It turned out to be a brilliant decision as, thanks to an explosive fastball that the Yankees had no answer for, Yesavage took a no-hitter into the 6th inning—striking out 11 and walking only one—before exiting the game. His next start was against the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 of the ALCS. He struggled, giving up five earned runs and accepting the loss. However, he saved the season for the Jays in Game 6, surrendering 2 runs and striking out 7 to win 6-2 and send Toronto to a decisive Game 7, which they won the following day to advance to the World Series against the LA Dodgers.